How do mirror neurons and parent co-regulation help de-escalate emotional outbursts and stress in teenagers?

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we dive deep into the science of nervous system regulation, exploring how parents can use their own energetic presence to calm a dysregulated teen, while also providing practical mind-body tools to support competitive teen athletes through injury prevention and intense physical stress.

It is a must-listen for moms navigating high-stress seasons with their teenagers, academic or performance pressures, and the daily chaotic bursts of teen hormones.

Listen in as we sit down with Lisa Danahy, an MS in Yoga Therapy, BA in Psychology, and founder of the non-profit Create Calm, who specializes in evidence-based behavioral and emotional regulation.

• Why telling an upset teenager to "just calm down" backfires, and how to help them access actual nervous system resources instead.
• Understanding the neuroscience behind why emotions are contagious and how an adult's steady presence serves as a physical reflection for a teen's emotional reset.
• A breakdown of a 30-second somatic tool involving movement, body-shaking, and breathwork to instantly exit the primitive stress response.
• How teaching "intense sensation" practices builds physical endurance, prevents joint/bone wear-and-tear, and fosters deep peer communication in competitive sports.

Question: Why do big conversations with my teenager always seem to turn into explosive arguments when we are in the car?

Answer: When parents and teens pile into a car, they are bringing all the bottled-up stress of their respective days into a highly contained space. Because you are physically confined and unable to move or discharge that physical energy, trying to navigate heavy topics relies entirely on words and breath to force the stress out, making the environment literal kindling for an explosive interaction. It is much better to use the car as a low-stakes space for rambling, and save big topics for after you have physically moved and reset.

Lisa Danahy (C-IAYT, YACEP, MS) is a powerful educator, entrepreneur, and Hay House featured author. With an MS in Yoga Therapy, a BA in Psychology, and over 30 years as a school administrator and social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum developer, she is highly skilled at creating accessible, evidence-based training for emotional regulation and resilience. Her non-profit, Create Calm, has facilitated deep healing and mindful programming for thousands of students, teachers, and families across the country since 2016.

• Website: createcalm.org
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisadanahy
• Facebook: Create Calm Page
• Instagram: @create_calm_yoga & @yogalinilisa

Resources From Your Host, Laura Ollinger

• Emotional College Prep Session For Girls: Positively Healthy University
• Book A Coaching Call: Let’s Work It Out!
• Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching